The Gassled joint venture has approved operator Gassco's recommendation concerning the removal of the B11 compressor installation in the North Sea.

This platform stands in the German sector and is connected to the Norpipe gas pipeline, which runs from Ekofisk in the Norwegian sector to the port of Emden in Germany.

Operational in 1977, B11 is to be removed because the need for gas compression in Norpipe has declined in recent years. Before removal, the pipeline will be relaid in a bypass around B11.

That job is due to be done during 2013 and, once the work has been completed, the platform will be shut down and cease to be staffed.

The actual removal job will be carried out two-three years after the shutdown. Overall, the cost of removing B11 is estimated to be in the order of NOK 1 billion.

AF Decom Offshore AS has earlier been awarded the contract for removing the platform. The structure will be shipped to the company’s yard at Vats north of Stavanger for scrapping.

The goal is for 96-98 per cent of the materials in the platform to be recycled or recovered.

Tags: Gassco